The '''Maiar''' ([[Quenya]], pronounced {{IPA|[ˈmaɪ.ar]}}) are those spirits which descended to [[Arda]] to help the [[Valar]] to shape the World. Singular is '''Maia'''. They were supposed to be numerous, yet not many were named. The Maiar are [[Ainur]]&mdash;technically, any Ainu that is not counted as a Vala is a Maia.

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The '''Maiar''' (singular '''Maia'''; [[Quenya]], pronounced {{IPA|[ˈmaɪ.ar]}}) were those spirits which descended to [[Arda]] to help the [[Valar]] to shape the World. They were apparently numerous, yet not many were named. The Maiar were [[Ainur]] &mdash; technically, any Ainu that is not counted as a Vala is a Maia.

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Their chiefs are [[Eönwë]], banner-bearer and herald of [[Manwë]], and [[Ilmarë]], the handmaid of [[Varda]].

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==History==

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Their chiefs were [[Eönwë]], banner-bearer and herald of [[Manwë]], and [[Ilmarë]], the handmaid of [[Varda]].

Each of the Maiar was associated with one or more particular Vala, and were of similar stock, though less powerful. For example, [[Ossë]] and [[Uinen]], as spirits of the sea, belonged to [[Ulmo]], while ''Curumo'', who came to be known in [[Middle-earth]] as [[Saruman]], belonged to [[Aulë]] the Smith.

Each of the Maiar was associated with one or more particular Vala, and were of similar stock, though less powerful. For example, [[Ossë]] and [[Uinen]], as spirits of the sea, belonged to [[Ulmo]], while ''Curumo'', who came to be known in [[Middle-earth]] as [[Saruman]], belonged to [[Aulë]] the Smith.

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Others included [[Sauron]] (also originally of Aulë's people), ''Aiwendil'', who was known in Middle-Earth as ''[[Radagast]]'' the Brown and belonged to [[Yavanna]], and ''Olórin'', known as [[Gandalf]], who belonged to [[Manwë]] and [[Varda]], but his ways took him often to the house of [[Nienna]]. From her he learned pity and patience, which perhaps aided him in his later struggles to unite the Free peoples of Middle-Earth against the power of Sauron.

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Others included [[Mairon]] also originally of Aulë's people, who became [[Sauron]] the Enemy, ''Aiwendil'', who was known in Middle-earth as ''[[Radagast]]'' the Brown and belonged to [[Yavanna]], and ''Olórin'', known as [[Gandalf]], who belonged to [[Manwë]] and [[Varda]], but his ways took him often to the house of [[Nienna]]. From her, he learned pity and patience, which perhaps aided him in his later struggles to unite the Free peoples of Middle-earth against the power of Sauron.

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''Alatar and Pallando'', known as the [[Blue Wizards]], travelled to the east, and never returned to the west. Their fate is unknown. The [[Balrogs]], like Sauron, were Maiar corrupted by [[Melkor]]. Their associated Vala is not known. [[Melian]] served both [[Vana]] and [[Estë]].

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The [[Blue Wizards]] travelled to the east, and never returned to the west. Their fate is unknown. The [[Balrogs]], like Sauron, were Maiar corrupted by [[Morgoth|Melkor]]. Their associated Vala is not known. [[Melian]] served both [[Vana]] and [[Estë]].

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==Etymology==

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The [[Quenya]] name ''Maiar'' means "the Beautiful".<ref>{{HM|MR}}, p. 49</ref>

Revision as of 19:09, 19 January 2013

The Maiar (singular Maia; Quenya, pronounced [ˈmaɪ.ar]) were those spirits which descended to Arda to help the Valar to shape the World. They were apparently numerous, yet not many were named. The Maiar were Ainur — technically, any Ainu that is not counted as a Vala is a Maia.

Contents

History

Each of the Maiar was associated with one or more particular Vala, and were of similar stock, though less powerful. For example, Ossë and Uinen, as spirits of the sea, belonged to Ulmo, while Curumo, who came to be known in Middle-earth as Saruman, belonged to Aulë the Smith.

Others included Mairon also originally of Aulë's people, who became Sauron the Enemy, Aiwendil, who was known in Middle-earth as Radagast the Brown and belonged to Yavanna, and Olórin, known as Gandalf, who belonged to Manwë and Varda, but his ways took him often to the house of Nienna. From her, he learned pity and patience, which perhaps aided him in his later struggles to unite the Free peoples of Middle-earth against the power of Sauron.

The Blue Wizards travelled to the east, and never returned to the west. Their fate is unknown. The Balrogs, like Sauron, were Maiar corrupted by Melkor. Their associated Vala is not known. Melian served both Vana and Estë.